Jijabai Awardees 2014 -15

Sushma Bhadu

Sushma Bhadu, is a sarpanch from three villages in Harayana. She has to her credit improving the dwindling education and sex ratio levels of her villages.

But she is more popular for the “unveiling” of her ‘ghunghat’. Fighting centuries old patriarchal and controlling norms of her society, she has earned the respect and admiration of her villages. She is elected sarpanch of three villages – Salam Khera, Chablamori and Dhani Miyan Khan.

The literacy rate stands at 69.10% in the 2011 census against 58% in 2001. The sex ratio also now stands at 903 per 1,000 men in 2011 census as against 884 in 2001. Defying the trend in the state, Dhani Miyan Khan has a zero dropout rate at the village’s only school. She also makes sure that every child in the village attends school.

Ms. Meenu Vadera

Meenu is a feminist and a social entrepreneur who has pioneered the idea of ‘Women on Wheels’. Women on Wheels has received several recognitions and awards for its innovative business model as well as for the transformative impact made on lives of resource poor women.

She has been involved in development initiatives as the Country Director of Action Aid in Uganda (1998-2003). Having returned to India afterwards, she has led an innovative initiative of Aagaz Academies-Schools of Leadership for elected women panchayat leaders, before founding Azad Foundation and Sakha Cabs for Women. She now acts as CEO and Secretary of the Trustee Board for Azad and CEO of Sakha Cabs.

Dr. Sharda Jain

She is a Gynaecologist and surgeon par excellence. A Passionate Medical social worker. She and her team at Lifecare Centre are dedicated to women Health, patient education. She is founder of prestigious forums like – Delhi Gynaecologist Forum – WOW India.

Her “ No Home Delivery” campaign and Basti Sevika Training programme lead to Janani Surksha Yojana and “Asha” scheme of G.O.I. during her tenure as Chairman of women wing of Indian Medical Association (2004-07). She is known in India for her tremendous contribution to women health in last 25 years through these organization.

Upasana Makati

Upasana Makati is the founder, editor, publisher and owner of White Print – India’s first lifestyle magazine for the visually impaired in Braille English. Launched in May, 2013, she started White Print to build a readership of enthusiastic individuals who would look beyond the realms of mere news as reading material. At a time where the visually impaired were relying heavily on talkback softwares and their Braille literacy was confined only to the spaces of their mind, White Print ushered in a new light.

Subhash Mendhapu

He is an Indian social activist based in the state of Himachal Pradesh, active in the fields of Women Self-reliance, Rural Self-governance, Rural Healthcare, Anti Alcoholism, Microfinance, Water management and Eco management. He is the founder and Director of SUTRA (Society for Social Uplift Through Rural Action), a Non-governmental organization which has been credited for the Socio economical transformation of thousands of illiterate rural women, especially the widowed and divorced ones through various initiatives in the foothills of the Himalayas of the Shimla and Solan area.